Men's Hockey Blanks Robert Morris, 2-0

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Holy Cross men’s hockey team defeated Robert Morris, 2-0, on Saturday. Michael Laffin marked his first multi-goal game of the 2018-19 season, scoring both Crusader goals. Freshman netminder Erik Gordon turned aside 26 shots for his first career shutout to grab his first career win. Holy Cross improves to 2-11-2 and 2-7-1 in league play while Robert Morris drops to 7-8-1 and 6-5-1 in the league.

The Crusaders and Colonials skated through a scoreless first period. Robert Morris outshot Holy Cross, 11-5. There were a flurry of penalties called in the opening period. The Crusaders were sent to the box five times and the Colonials twice. The teams played nearly three minutes of four-on-four action, but no one converted.

Holy Cross took the lead in the second period as Laffin recorded his second of the year. Following the Crusader goal, Holy Cross went on the power play and Erik Gordon made a great save to turn aside a Robert Morris breakaway. The Crusaders held the shot advantage in the middle period, 10-9.

In the third period the Crusaders doubled their lead with another Laffin goal. Gordon shut out the Colonials with six saves in the final frame.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1-0 HC (5:12 – 2nd): Johnny Coughlin collected the puck at the blue line and deked his way towards the goal. Coughlin drew Robert Morris’ netminder Francis Marott towards him and slid the puck across the crease for Michael Laffin to send it home on the back post.

2-0 HC (16:59 – 3rd): Jack Surowiec rushed the puck into the offensive zone and carried it into the corner. Surowiec moved the puck up to Spencer Trapp on the point, where he walked the blue line and sent a shot towards goal. Laffin was stationed in front of the net and tipped the puck past Marotte.

NOTES & NUMBERS:

Gordon recorded his first collegiate shutout for his first win with 26 saves.

The Crusaders went 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Holy Cross was outshot, 26-22.

UP NEXT:

Holy Cross will return after the holiday break on Jan. 1 for a 2:00 p.m. exhibition game with the USA Under-18 team in Plymouth, Mich.